Holcombes Establish Education Scholarship

Quick Facts

Betty and Milton Holcombe have established a $50,000 endowment to benefit education majors from Bamberg, S.C. Betty Holcombe created the scholarship in honor of her college roommate, Elizabeth Carter Steedly.

ROCK HILL, S.C. - A Dallas, Texas, couple recently established a $50,000 endowment at Winthrop in honor of the woman’s roommate from her college days.

Betty and Milton Holcombe announced the scholarship during Betty’s 50th anniversary college reunion dinner on April 21. The Elizabeth Ernestine Carter Steedly Endowed Scholarship is given in celebration of more than 50 years of friendship and Winthrop memories. Betty and Ernestine met at Winthrop, where they both lived in Bancroft and were English majors.

"We both left Winthrop with the intention of becoming English teachers, but she stuck it out. She was in the trenches all those years," said Betty Holcombe.Steedly retired from Bamberg High School after teaching English for 34 years.

"I just wanted to show my love and appreciation to Ernestine for all those years she labored in the schools," said Holcombe, who taught for five years before her twin daughters were born. She later earned a master’s degree.

The scholarship, which will become available in fall 2007, will benefit an education major from Bamberg, S.C. Preference will be given to a student who wants to teach English.

Winthrop officials are grateful for the way this gift will support Winthrop students. "We also are grateful for the way this friendship continues to touch the life of the university," said President Anthony DiGiorgio. "This friend has been in Betty’s life for over 50 years – an enduring friendship which began during those first days of college in 1952, and that was strengthened by the experiences that only college roommates can share."

This endowment marks the third scholarship the Holcombes have set up at Winthrop. The couple has already endowed scholarships focusing on education and the liberal arts.

For more information, contact the Office of Development at 803/323-2150.